Audi has officially pulled the covers off the visual identity for its highly anticipated Formula 1 works team, setting a bold target to challenge for the world championship within five years of its 2026 debut.
A New Era in Silver, Black and Red
The German automotive giant unveiled the livery for its first F1 car, the R26, during an event at its F1 engine headquarters in Neuburg, Germany. This marks the complete phasing out of the fluorescent green associated with the team's current incarnation as the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
The new design embraces Audi's traditional brand colours of black and silver, accented by a newly created shade dubbed 'Audi red'. It is important to note that these initial images do not represent the final livery, as sponsor decals will be added ahead of the car's full unveiling in January 2026 and the season opener in Melbourne next March.
The Championship Mandate
Leading the ambitious charge is Mattia Binotto, the head of Audi's F1 project and former Ferrari team principal. He left no room for ambiguity regarding the team's long-term objectives.
"The goal is clear: to fight for championships by 2030," Binotto stated. He acknowledged the scale of the challenge, adding, "That journey takes time, the right people and a mindset of continuous improvement. Formula 1 is one of the most competitive environments. Mistakes will happen, but learning from them is what drives transformation."
Echoing this determined yet pragmatic outlook, Audi CEO Gernot Dollner confirmed the company is entering the sport with "an ambitious yet realistic roadmap." He emphasised, "We are not entering Formula 1 just to be there. We want to win. At the same time, we know that you don’t become a top team in Formula 1 overnight."
Building on a Foundation of Progress
The transformation into the full Audi works team has been a gradual process. The manufacturer initially took a stake in the Sauber team in 2022 before completing a 100 percent takeover in March 2024, opting to delay its own branding until the 2026 season.
The team's on-track fortunes are already showing signs of a significant revival under the leadership of Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley, who joined in April after a long tenure as Red Bull's sporting director. Following a dismal 2024 season where they scored only four points and finished last, the team has amassed 62 points this year.
This impressive turnaround has been driven by an all-new driver line-up of veteran Nico Hülkenberg and promising rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. The season's standout moment was Hülkenberg's emotional podium finish at Silverstone, his first top-three result in his 239th Grand Prix start.
Wheatley expressed strong confidence in his team, stating, "Championship-winning teams are not built on magic – they are built on people who believe: in each other, in the process, and in the destination. Our drivers, Nico and Gabi, embody that spirit."
With the livery now revealed and a clear championship target set, the countdown to Audi's landmark entry into Formula 1 in 2026 has well and truly begun.
